Modular multi-axial rotor

ABSTRACT

A modular, electricity generating apparatus comprises an elongate, central member comprising a first end and a second end; at least one solar foil disposed about the central member in fluid interacting relation thereto; the solar foil comprising an outer surface having photovoltaic properties; the first end and the second end dimensioned and configured to be connected to a connecting node; and, the elongate central member at least partially comprised of an electrically conductive material and configured to conduct electricity from at least one of the connecting nodes to the other of the connecting nodes.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.14/595,727 filed on Jan. 13, 2015 which is a continuation-in-part ofU.S. application Ser. No. 13/444,306 filed on Apr. 11, 2012, whichmatured into U.S. Pat. No. 8,932,005 on Jan. 13, 2015, the disclosure ofeach is explicitly incorporated by reference herein, in theirentireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed toward electricity generatingapparatuses, and particularly, those apparatus that are modular innature and may be interconnected to form electricity generatingassemblies for enhanced electricity production. Additionally, thepresent application is directed to such modular electricity generatingapparatuses as additionally incorporate photovoltaic materials andcapabilities to further enhance electricity production.

Description of the Related Art

Electricity generating devices which are powered by wind or passingfluid and which operate via vertical rotor are known within the art. Forexample a savonius-type rotor generally includes a rotor blade disposedin parallel alignment with the central rotor. Additionally, such rotorsonly work in a vertical or horizontal position whereby they aretypically used as singular structures, with no modular or constructivefeatures. Additionally, efficiency is significantly decreased if thepassing fluid is not substantially perpendicular to the foil of such asavonius-type rotor. As such, mounting a savonius-type rotorhorizontally or on an incline can lead to significant declines inefficiency of the apparatus.

Additionally, photovoltaic materials and their use in solar panels areknown in the art. However, solar panels should be mounted so as tomaximize exposure to light. Fixedly mounted solar panels are generallyarranged to capture a predetermined range of sunlight, given the solarpanel's location on the Earth, but are far from optimal. Solar trackersmay be utilized in order to continually reorient the solar panel, butcan be expensive and complicated devices.

The present invention addresses these problems, and others known in theart, by providing an electricity generating apparatus, which is bothmodular and scalable in nature and configured to produce electricityregardless of the wind or fluid direction relative to its central axisand regardless of its orientation relative to the sun. Additionally, thepresent invention may be utilized as a structural assembly component,thereby providing auxiliary sources of electricity production inlocations heretofore not possible, such as, within a truss of a bridgeor a tower, supporting enclosed spaces, and the like. Lastly, thepresent invention is capable of incorporating photovoltaic materials,such as thin-film solar cells, and deploying them effectively withoutregard to the invention's location on the Earth.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention is an electricity generatingapparatus. The apparatus is modular in nature, as well as scalable indimension. The apparatus includes an elongate central member about whicha foil is disposed. The foil may be configured to interact with apassing fluid such that a force is generated on the foil via the passageof the fluid. When the central member is rotationally mounted betweentwo fixed points, the force generated by the passage of fluid may inducea rotation of the foil and/or central member about a central axis of theapparatus.

In at least one embodiment, the foil comprises at least one surfacewhich is disposed helically about the central member. As such, the powergenerated by the foil is generally independent of the direction of fluidflow relative to the apparatus. This is because the helicalconfiguration allows at least some portion of the surface area of thefoil to always be presented to the fluid flow. In other embodiments, anynumber of a variety of foil configurations may be appropriatelyutilized.

Additional features of certain embodiments of the apparatus includeintegral electricity generating structure within the apparatus. By wayof example, the central member may be comprised of a central statordisposed along the length of the central member. Additionally, a hollowshell may then be rotationally disposed about the central stator and thefoil attached to the shell, either unitarily or otherwise. Such aconfiguration lends itself to the inclusion of the various structuresand features of an electrical generator commonly known as a dynamo,alternator, or otherwise, with the central member forming the stator ofsuch a generator and the hollow shell forming the rotor of such agenerator.

Yet another feature of the present invention is that it is modular andmay be constructed into assemblies. For example, a plurality ofsubstantially identical apparatuses may be interconnected via aplurality of connecting nodes. A connecting node may, for example,include a collar, into which an end of the apparatus may be inserted forretention therein. Accordingly, a plurality of connecting nodes may beprovided with a plurality of apparatus to construct a variety ofconfigurations, such as pyramids, domes, towers, etc. which may beutilized in or as part of self-supporting, as well as externalload-supporting, structures.

As an alternative embodiment, at least some of the electrical generatorstructuring may be disposed within the connecting node. By way ofexample one end of a central member may be rigidly connected to a rotorof an electric generator disposed within the connecting member. As such,when the central member rotates, due to the force of fluid passing thefoil, the rotor of the electric generator will rotate accordingly.Alternatively, one end of the central member may form such a rotor andbe inserted into receiving relation with a stator disposed inside theconnecting node, thereby forming an alternative electric generator.

Additionally, in such assemblies as have been described heretofore, eachof the connecting nodes and each of the apparatuses may containelectrical contacts which may be interconnected, such that theelectricity generated by each apparatus of an assembly may be conductedthrough the entire assembly to a single receptacle point on theassembly, thereby reducing the need to electrically connect eachapparatus individually with external electrical contacts.

Yet another feature of the present invention is the ability to formstructural assemblies from the apparatus and connecting nodes. Theapparatus and connecting nodes of the present invention lend themselvesto being formed of a variety of materials, plastics, metals, etc. Assuch, the present invention may be formed of material with sufficientstructural integrity so as to allow the assemblies of the presentinvention to bear weight, for example, structural steel and/or othermetals or alloys. Composite materials are also suitable for such anapplication.

Accordingly, in certain embodiments, the apparatus may be formed intoweight bearing assemblies, for example, triangular structures, andfurther assembled into towers, domes, pyramids, bridge structures,support members for enclosed spaces, and the like. As such, theassemblies of the present invention may be used to support externalstructures, for example, a roadway of a bridge or a roof which may besuspended from an assembly. Alternatively the present invention may beused to form towers such as, radio towers, water towers, etc.

In at least one embodiment of a structural assembly, the apparatusincludes a rigid connection to each adjacent connecting node such thatforce may be transferred through adjacent apparatuses and connectionnodes. In this sense, the apparatus of the structural assemblies may bestressed members when disposed in weight supporting relation to anexternal structure, such as, but not limited to, a bridge roadway,suspended roof of an enclosed structure, reservoir of a water tower, oneor more satellite receivers and/or broadcast antennae, etc.

In yet further embodiments of the invention, the foil may includephotovoltaic materials on an outwardly facing surface, or at leastbeneath a protective layer, such that the foils may be utilized as solarpanels. It will be appreciated herein that the terms “outwardly facingsurface” or “outer surface” can include any surface of the foil whichfaces or is exposed to the exterior of the foil. These terms are incontrast to an interior surface of the foil, such as in embodimentswhere the foil includes an at least partially hollow interior. Such aconfiguration can be termed a “solar foil.” As such, the apparatus ofthe present invention can be configured to generate electricity fromsolar energy, kinetic fluid energy, or both. Additionally, the presentinvention presents a novel improvement over solar panel positioningsystems as being more efficient than stationary, ground-based systems,and less complex and expensive than solar tracking systems.

The solar foil of the present invention can be configured similarly toprevious embodiments, in that the solar foil can comprise at least onesurface which is disposed helically about the central member. As such,at least some portion of the surface area of the foil is presented tothe fluid flow such that the solar foil may rotate about the centralmember. When rotating, at least some portions of the solar foil will bepresented in an optimal position, or at least a most optimal positionavailable, relative to the sun. Therefore, the apparatus of the presentinvention may be installed without regard to the direction of the sun,or the relative placement of the apparatus on the surface of the earth,as the rotation of the solar foil effectively increases the incidencearea of light upon the photovoltaic materials, relative to a stationarysolar panel.

Additionally, the solar foil of the present embodiment may be combinedwith the integral electricity generating structure of previousembodiments in order to increase electricity production. Such anapparatus is capable of producing electrical power both from thephotovoltaic effects of the outer surface of the solar foil, as well asfrom the induction caused by the rotation of the shell around thecentral stator, as described above. Additionally, the solar foil may bedisposed in electrical communication with the integral electricitygenerating structure of previous embodiments in order to facilitatecommunication of electricity from the solar foil to at least one of theconnecting nodes, such that electricity may be withdrawn from theapparatus and utilized. In certain embodiments a rotating electricalslip ring may be disposed between the shell and the stator of thecentral member in order to facilitate electrical communication betweenthe solar foil and the connecting nodes.

In certain embodiments the solar foil may be comprised of thin-filmsolar cells, as they are known in the art, which provide thin layers ofphotovoltaic material on a light weight and/or flexible substrate. Thesolar foil may also comprise such additional structuring as would beappreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art such as, e.g,protective coatings, skeletal frameworks, etc.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become clearer when the drawings as well as the detaileddescription are taken into consideration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention,reference should be had to the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side plan view of an electricity generating apparatus andconnecting nodes according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a foil in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 3 is a section plan view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1 inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an assembly of apparatuses and connecting nodes in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an assembly of apparatuses and connecting nodes in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an assembly of apparatuses and connecting nodes in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an assembly of apparatuses and connecting nodes in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side section view of one embodiment of an apparatus inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a side plan view of an electricity generating apparatus andconnecting nodes according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of a foil in accordance with one embodimentof the present invention

FIG. 11 is a section plan view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 9 inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an assembly of apparatuses and connecting nodes in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several viewsof the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 depicts an electricity generating apparatus 100 according to oneembodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 100 as depictedincludes an elongated central member 110. The central member 110 servesin part to provide a mounting point for the foil 120, as well as tointerconnect the apparatus 100 between connecting nodes 200.Additionally, the central member 110 may serve as an axle about whichthe apparatus 100 may rotate. For example, the central member 110 may bedisposed in rotatable relation to the connecting nodes 200.

The foil 120 of the present invention is an at least partially rigidstructure connected to or disposed on or about the central member 110.The foil 120 serves to transmit force to the central member 110 viainteraction with a fluid travelling past the foil 120. For purposes ofthe present invention any of a variety of foil shapes or configurationsmay suffice, such as a traditional airfoil or other shape. However inthe depicted embodiment, the foil 120 is comprised of at least onehelical surface 121 which is disposed about the central member 110. Assuch, at least a portion of the foil is always presented to the passingfluid, which allows for smoother force input to the central member, andaccordingly, smoother power input. Additionally, the foil 120 maycomprise a tapered configuration, as at 122, such that adjacentlydisposed foils 120 of adjacently disposed apparatuses 100 do notcollide, as will be explained further below.

FIG. 2 provides a top plan view of a foil 120 in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention such that the general shape andconfiguration may be presented.

FIG. 3 presents a section plan view in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention along line 3-3 of FIG. 1, such that the generalshape and configuration may be similarly presented. Accordingly, across-section of the foil 120 is presented. As can be seen, in thedepicted embodiment, the cross-sectional area 123 of the foil 120comprises a central portion 124 that substantially conforms to thecentral member 110 and gradually tapers toward a trailing edge 125 thatis substantially thinner in cross section. It should be appreciated thatthe depicted embodiment is but one of many possible configurationsencompassed by the present invention. One benefit of the depictedembodiment however, is that the enlarged central portion 124 of the foil120 increases the bending moment resistance of the apparatus 100.Additionally, the depicted embodiment is capable of producing a lowpressure lifting force on the leeward side of the foil 120, whichsupplements pressure on the windward side of the foil 120, therebyincreasing the amount of torque produced by the apparatus 100 as itrotates.

As another feature of the present invention, a plurality of apparatuses100 may be assembled into an assembly 1000 as exemplified in FIGS. 4through 7. With continuing reference to FIGS. 1, and 4 through 7, theconnecting nodes 200 may serve as junctions with which to interconnectthe plurality of apparatuses 100. As such, one embodiment of aconnecting node 200 may include a connecting node collar 210 into whichan end 130, 140 of the central member 110 may be disposed. As canfurther be seen, the tapered configuration 122 of the foil 120, which inthe depicted embodiment comprises a reduced radial dimension of the foil120 at the first end 130 and second end 140, serves to provide clearancebetween adjacently disposed apparatuses 100 of the assembly 1000.

Additionally, the connecting nodes 200 may take any of a variety ofdesired configurations, as depicted in FIGS. 4-7, such configurationsbeing mainly dictated by the shape of the desired assembly 1000, asdepicted in FIGS. 5 and 7. In yet further embodiments, the connectingnodes 200 may be generally spherical, with varying numbers andconfigurations of collars 210, as desired.

Now turning to FIG. 8, depicted is one embodiment of an apparatus 100according to the present invention that includes a stator 111 and ashell 112 within the central member 110. As such, at least a portion ofthe structure required for an electric generator may be disposed withinthe central member 110. Accordingly, the stator 111, even thoughstationary in the present invention, may correspond structurally to arotor as generally implemented in electric motors or generators, as itis centrally located within the central member 110. Similarly, the shell112, even though dynamic, may correspond structurally with a stator asgenerally implemented in electric motors or generators, as it isdisposed about the stator 111 of the present invention. Thus, the stator111 and shell 112 are comprised of such electrically and/or magneticallyconductive material so as to form an electric generator or otherwisetake advantage of the known effects of induction when the shell 112 isrotated about the stator 111 in order to produce electricity. It shouldbe understood that the depicted structure merely depicts one embodimentof the present invention and many other embodiments are suitable. Forexample, any number of electrical generator structures may be disposedwithin the connecting node 200. For example, the central member 110 maybe configured to rotate within at least a portion of the connecting node200, thereby providing a rotor as commonly implemented in electricgenerators. Additionally, substantially all of the electrical generatorstructure may be disposed within the connecting node 200, and thecentral member 110 rigidly attached to the rotor therein, therebydriving the rotor when the central member 110 is rotated.

Furthermore, at least a portion of the central member 110 and connectingnode 200 may be fabricated of electrically conductive material andinclude electrical contacts for electrical interconnection betweenadjacent central members 110 and connecting nodes 200. As such, whendeployed as an assembly 1000 with a plurality of apparatuses 100,electricity may be drawn from and conducted through each apparatus 100such that only one exterior electrical connection need be made in orderto draw electricity from the assembly 1000. This may be accomplished,for example, by disposing a single electrical receptacle on apredetermined connecting node 200 of the assembly 1000, and constructingthe assembly 1000 such that each successive apparatus 100 and connectingnode 200 is disposed in electrical interconnection with thepredetermined connecting node 200. Of course, in alternativeembodiments, it may be desirable to utilize multiple electricalreceptacles and/or other exterior electrical connections.

FIG. 9 depicts another embodiment of the apparatus 100′ of the presentinvention in which the foil, referred to as a solar foil 300, at leastpartially comprises an outer surface with photovoltaic properties 310.As can be seen, the solar foil 300 is substantially similar to the foil120 of the previous embodiments in shape and configuration, includingthe solar foil 300 being disposed about the central member 110′ in ahelical plane 301 and, that the solar foil 300 may include a taperedconfiguration 302 so as to avoid interference with adjacently disposedapparatuses 100′. However the solar foil 300 includes a photovoltaicouter surface 310. Accordingly, the electricity-generating capability ofthe apparatus 100′ of the present invention is enhanced beyond that ofeither a wind foil or a solar panel alone.

FIG. 10 depicts a top plan view of a solar foil 300 in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention such that the general shape andconfiguration may be presented.

FIG. 11 is a section plan view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 9, suchthat the general shape and configuration may be similarly presented.Accordingly, a cross-section of the solar foil 300 is presented. As canbe seen, in the depicted embodiment, the cross-sectional area 303 of thesolar foil 300 comprises a central portion 304 that substantiallyconforms to the central member 110′ and gradually tapers toward atrailing edge 305 that is substantially thinner in cross-section,similar to the previous embodiment discussed herein. However, the solarfoil 300 of the present embodiment also includes a photovoltaic outersurface 310, which, in certain embodiments, may at least partially becomprised of a thin-film photovoltaic cell 311 applied to the helicalplane 301, or in yet further embodiments, at least partially comprisingthe helical plane 301.

FIG. 12 depicts a plurality of apparatuses 100′, each utilizing a solarfoil 300 of the present embodiment, assembled into an assembly 1000′ asin previous embodiments. As can further be seen, the taperedconfiguration 302, which in the depicted embodiment comprises a reducedradial dimension of the solar foil 300, serves to provide clearancebetween immediately adjacent apparatuses.

Since many modifications, variations and changes in detail can be madeto the described preferred embodiment of the invention, it is intendedthat all matters in the foregoing description and shown in theaccompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined bythe appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Now that the invention has been described,

What is claimed is:
 1. A modular electricity generating apparatuscomprising: an elongate, central member; at least one solar foildisposed about said central member in rotational relation thereto; saidat least one solar foil at least partially comprising a photovoltaicouter surface; said central member further including at least a firstend and a second end; each of said first end and said second enddimensioned and configured to be connected to a connecting node,respectively; said elongate central member further including anelectrically conductive material; said elongate central member furtherconfigured to dispose one of the connecting nodes into electricalcommunication with the other of the connecting nodes.
 2. The apparatusas recited in claim 1 wherein said central member further comprises astator member rigidly connected to the connecting nodes.
 3. Theapparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein said central member furthercomprises a shell rotationally disposed about said stator member.
 4. Theapparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein said stator and said shell atleast partially comprise an electrical generator.
 5. The apparatus asrecited in claim 3 wherein said at least one solar foil is rigidlyconnected to said shell.
 6. The apparatus as recited in claim 3 whereinsaid at least one solar foil is formed unitarily with said shell.
 7. Theapparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one solar foilincludes at least one surface disposed helically about said centralmember.
 8. The apparatus as recited in claim 7 wherein said at least onesolar foil further comprises a reduced radius toward each of said firstend and said second end, providing clearance for adjacently disposedfoils of others of said apparatus.
 9. The apparatus as recited in claim7 wherein said at least one solar foil further includes a centralportion substantially conforming to said central member.
 10. Theapparatus as recited in claim 9 wherein said at least one solar foilfurther includes a trailing edge that is thinner in cross-section thansaid central portion.
 11. An electricity generating assembly comprising:a plurality of electricity generating apparatuses, each including atleast an elongate central member, a first end, a second end, and atleast one solar foil disposed about said central member, said at leastone solar foil including a photovoltaic outer surface; a plurality ofconnecting nodes; each connecting node of said plurality of connectingnodes including at least one connecting node collar projectingtherefrom; each of said first ends and second ends rotationally disposedwithin a corresponding one of said connecting node collars of saidplurality of connecting nodes, thereby interconnecting said plurality ofapparatuses; each apparatus of said plurality of apparatuses and eachconnecting node of said plurality of connecting nodes correspondinglyconfigured and disposed to conduct electricity from at least one of saidplurality of connecting nodes to any other of said plurality ofconnecting nodes.
 12. The electricity generating assembly as recited inclaim 11 wherein at least some of said plurality of central membersfurther comprise a stator member and a shell, said stator member rigidlyconnected to said connecting nodes, respectively; said shellrotationally disposed about said stator member, respectively; and,wherein said stator member and said shell, respectively, at leastpartially comprise an electrical generator.
 13. The electricitygenerating assembly as recited in claim 11 wherein at least some of saidconnecting nodes include a connecting node collar; at least some of saidfirst ends and said second ends are disposed within corresponding onesof said connecting node collars, respectively.
 14. The electricitygenerating assembly as recited in claim 13 wherein at least a portion ofeither of said first end or said second end of said central member isrotationally disposed within said collar, respectively.
 15. Theelectricity generating assembly as recited in claim 14 wherein saidcollar and said either of said first end or said second end of saidcentral member, respectively, at least partially comprise an electricalgenerator.
 16. The electricity generating assembly as recited in claim11 wherein at least some of said connecting nodes further comprise atleast one electrical generator connected in mechanically driven relationto either of said first end or said second end of said central member,respectively.
 17. A rotatable solar foil apparatus comprising: anelongate, central member; at least one solar foil disposed about saidcentral member in fluid interacting relation thereto; said at least onesolar foil at least partially comprising a thin-film photovoltaic cellconfigured in a helical plane thereof; said central member furtherincluding at least a first end and a second end; each of said first endand said second end dimensioned and configured to be connected to aconnecting node, respectively; said elongate central member furtherincluding an electrically conductive material; said elongate centralmember further configured to conduct electricity from at least said atleast one solar foil to at least one of said connecting nodes; and bothof said connecting nodes disposed in electrical communication with saidat least one solar foil.
 18. The rotatable solar foil apparatus asdescribed in claim 17 wherein said central member comprises at least astator and a shell, said shell being rotationally disposed about saidstator, said at least one solar foil being disposed helically about saidshell.
 19. The rotatable solar foil apparatus as described in claim 17wherein said electrical communication of both of said connecting nodeswith said at least one solar foil is at least partially accomplished viasaid electrically conductive material of said central member.